After delay and controversy, DECC has announced the RO banding conclusions [1]. Renewable power now set to deliver jobs and growth but uncertainty remains in several areas.

Martin Wright, Chairman of the REA [2] said:

“We welcome the publication of the RO Banding decision, but it is not before time. Government has re-affirmed its commitment to the renewables industry, but we are concerned about the further reviews facing many technologies, which is likely to inhibit investment.

“Business confidence is essential to realise the vast potential of this industry, in which the UK still lags behind the rest of the world. Companies will not invest without stable Government policy delivered in a timely manner. At such a critical time for the economy, this country cannot afford any further political wrangling that puts at risk future investment and job creation.

“The Chancellor’s recent letter [3] to the Energy Secretary showed a serious misalignment between the attitude of Treasury and other Government departments charged with delivering a growing, low carbon economy. The Treasury appears to be frustrating the creation of a comprehensive energy policy for short-term economic and political gain. It is time energy policy properly reflected the long-term interests of the nation.”

UK renewable electricity generation is currently at 11% [4], but to meet the Government’s overall renewable energy target, it will need to reach to 30% by 2020. Significant amounts of wind capacity are in construction or have won planning consent, but more is needed, along with contributions from baseload biomass and energy from waste (EfW) technologies. With the costs of PV falling so dramatically, it also makes financial sense for solar to play a major role in meeting our targets.

The REA will strongly oppose the proposal to consult on removing FIT-eligible technologies from the RO under 5 MW.

Firstly only one AD plant in the UK is over 5MW (out of the 22 currently supported by the RO). Removing sub 5MW AD from the RO would therefore slash the budget. The ambitions for AD under FIT are already very low.

It would be financially illogical to constrain solar PV to the FIT, which has a much smaller budget than the RO. Many solar applications are already cheaper than other technologies but the expansion of cheaper solar would be constrained if this were to happen.

Gaynor Hartnell CEO of the REA said:

“After a long wait there are some disappointments in the Banding levels announced today. There is good news for hydro, advanced pyrolysis and gasification and EfW. However, we are effectively left with no deep geothermal power industry in the UK, inadequate incentive to capture methane from landfill sites and the prospect of a further review for onshore wind.”

On specific technologies, Gaynor Hartnell said:

On wind

“Onshore wind developers have been prepared for this modest reduction, although it will have an impact on smaller and community schemes. Offshore wind remains at the higher level introduced by the emergency review, but the support level will gradually fall, in line with expected price reductions in the technology.”

Given the further review of onshore wind, only one year’s extra certainty has been provided. Projects can take a long time in the UK given developers need to go through complex planning applications and a pre-construction stage.

“While the details are more complex than we expected, particularly regarding enhanced co-firing, there is some good news here. We are pleased to see dedicated biomass stick at 1.5 ROCs, and we welcome the opportunity to work with Government on the biomass sustainability proposals. However, the cap on projects coming forward is a sting in the tail, and could impact on those projects further down the pipeline. The decision to remove the CHP uplift for new projects in 2015 is very disappointing.”

On solar PV

“Solar PV stays at 2 ROCs/MWh, but the proposal to remove solar PV, and other FIT technologies, from the RO under 5MW is very worrying. We expressed our concern about this to the Secretary of State in early June.”

On biogas, REA Head of Biogas David Collins comments:

“If sub 5MW AD were to be removed from the RO it would be a disaster for the AD industry. 2 ROCs is sufficient support for anaerobic digestion – but very few projects are or will be above the proposed 5MW threshold. On top of the new tough capacity restrictions for AD under the FiTs we now face the prospect of the end of support under the RO – this totally contradicts Government aspirations for AD in Defra’s AD Strategy and ensures that we will fail to achieve the targets for biogas under our National Renewable Energy Action Plan.”

Wave and tidal energy

“The higher subsidy levels which the REA called for have been confirmed. There is a 30MW size threshold, above which only 2 ROCs/MW are available. The REA did not support this somewhat arbitrary distinction, but Government felt there was a need to limit the potential amount of capacity which could be supported at 5 ROCs/MWh, and this was the most workable solution.”

Deep geothermal energy

Deep geothermal power has the potential to supply 20% of the UK’s electricity needs. It is at the same level of maturity as wave and tidal and needed the same level of support. It has strong synergies with the oil and gas sector and UK engineers were confident the UK could take a meaningful stake of the global industry expected to be worth $40 billion by 2020. 2 ROCs is insufficient to kick-start the UK industry.

“Whilst this is what the Government had originally proposed, geothermal developers had hoped for more, in order to kick start their pioneering projects. These projects will now only proceed if also in receipt of a grant. A higher level would have confirmed that Government means what it says when it talks of wanting to encourage this emerging technology.”

On energy from waste and landfill gas

Retaining 1 ROC for Energy from Waste CHP is very welcome and will allow projects to go forward.

“We are disappointed that new landfill gas will get even less support. Although DECC are offering support for waste heat to power and old landfill sites, this is tokenistic and is very unlikely to bring any new projects forward. This represents a wasted opportunity to capture harmful methane emissions and put them to use for electricity generation.”

On advanced gasification & pyrolysis

This is an advanced waste treatment technology in which the UK has a global lead. 2 ROCs is a major win for the REA.

“We welcome the decision to support gasification and pyrolysis, which shows that the REA has been successful in persuading government in the potential of this exciting technology, and we look forward to seeing the industry mature and develop.”

Hydro has been increased from 0.5 to 0.7 ROCs, which is welcome.

On the cost to consumers

“Ofgem estimates the cost of the RO in 2010-11 at £21/household, which is around 4% of an annual average bill [5]. Environmental costs are small in comparison with underlying increase in fossil fuel prices. Ofgem analysis shows that higher gas prices have been the main driver of increasing energy bills over the last eight years [6], and in the future fossil fuel prices will become more volatile and dependent on global market supply and demand. Investing in renewable forms of energy will actually reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices and vulnerability.

“The Renewables Obligation pays renewable generators a premium which is additional to the income gained from the sale of the electricity. If the electricity price increases (e.g. because of rising gas prices) renewable generators benefit.

“The Government plans to close the Obligation to new entrants in 2017, and instead award renewable generators (along with nuclear and carbon capture and storage generators) a new form of contract. This change is part of a package of measures referred to as Electricity Market Reform (EMR). The new Contracts for Difference (CfDs) aim to pay a set tariff which will not fluctuate with electricity prices. This should deliver a saving if electricity prices go up.”

2. The Renewable Energy Association represents renewable energy producers and promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy in the UK across power, heat, transport and renewable gas. It is the largest renewable trade association in the UK, with over 900 members, ranging from major multinationals to sole traders. For more information, see: www.r-e-a.net

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